Typesetting machine



Oct. 11, 1966 g, o' 3,278,005,

TYPESETTING MACHINE Filed June 11, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

RICHARD C. O'BRIEN ATTORNEYS 0C1. 11, 1966 R. c.oBR1EN 3,278,005

TYPESETTING MACHINE Filed June 11, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.RICHARD c. O'BRIEN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,278,005 TYPESETTINGMACHlNE Richard C. OErien, Huntington, N.Y., assignor to Harris-Intertype Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware FiledJune 11, 1965, Ser. No. 463,198 8 Claims. (Cl. 199-23) This inventionrelates to typesetting machines of the recirculating matrix type, andparticularly to a novel operating unit for controlling the functioningof the individual matrix release mechanisms in response to a coded inputsignal identifying, in succession, the matrices to be selected in makingup lines of composition.

The recirculating matrix typesetting machines are pro vided with atleast one mechanism having a number of channels in each of which anumber of matrices are contained for release, one at a time, by suitablemechanisms associated with each chainnel. The selection signals may bederived from a keyboard, or from a coded input such as a perforatedpaper tape, but in either event these signals cause the releasemechanisms to discharge a single selected matrix for each signal, andthe matrices drop in the order of selection into a suitable assembler.The present invention is concerned primarily with an apparatus which canbe controlled by the keyboard, or by a coded input from a perforatedtape or the like, and which functions to operate the matrix releasemechanism in the predetermined order, and at regular intervals despitepossible irregularity in the rate of input of the signals, such that theindividual matrices can be selected and released rapidly and regularlyinto the assembler.

In a preferred form of the invention this apparatus includes anelectro-mechanical decoding mechanism which translates a coded inputinto an operating signal for the particular one of the matrix releasemechanisms identified by that signal, and causes such mechanism to beactuated to release a single matrix. The rate of opeartion of thisapparatus is fed back to control its input, whereby the decodingmechanism accepts the input coded signals at regular intervals, thenproceeds to decode and actuate the proper matrix release mechanism. Theactual decoding and selection function is arranged to be only a part ofthe actuating output of the apparatus, such that the apparatus canprepare to accept the next signal while the output resulting from theprevious signal is still in existance. For this purpose, the presentinvention provides a novel mechanical selector or operating unit capableof translating the decoded signal into an actuating output of longerterm.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide a noveloperating mechanism for recirculating matrix type-setting machineswherein input signals identifying individual matrices to be selected areaccepted, in a sequence which may be irregular, and are translated intoregularly timed outputs whereby the matrix release mechanisms areoperated in the proper selected order and at regular intervals.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus wherein theinput identifying matrices to be selected are received in coded form,are decoded to identify the particular individual matrices desired, andwherein the decoded output is expanded and regularized in time torelease the matrices in proper selected order and in a regular sequencewhich minimizes jamming and/or assembling of the matrices out of properorder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control unit for arecirculating matrix typesetting machine which can operate from a codedinput identifying the matrices in the order in which they are to beassembled, and which is capable of effecting release of the matrices atan optiice mum and regular rate, in the proper order, and thereby tooperate the typesetting machine at optimum speed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such an operatingunit for a typesetting machine which has a regular timed cycle ofoperations, including a portion of the cycle during which the codedinput is received and decoded, and including another portion of thecycle overlapping the decoding portion and during which a power drivenoutput is provided to operate the selected matrix release mechanismidentified during the decoding operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an operating unitwhich is of simplified construction, incorporating easily manufacturedparts which can readily and easily be made to within the tolerancesnecessary for proper functioning of the unit.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following description, the appended claims and theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a typical coded inputarrangement for apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken through the decoding andoperating device in accordance with the invention, showing one reedraised to select a matrix, and showing in dotted lines the position ofthe parts preparatory to raising the reed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing the stack of decoding strips,as indicated, in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the parts in a rest positionin full lines, and in a triggered position in dotted lines;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general form ofconstruction of the decoding tapes or strips forming a part of theelectro-rnechanical decording mechanism; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, with some parts broken away and shown insection, illustrating the manner in which the position of the decodingtapes are controlled by selectively energized solenoids.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, in FIG. 1 a perforated tape reader is shownschematically at 10, and a typical perforated tape 12 is shown. As anexample, this tape can be the well-known Teletypesetter or TTS tape usedpresently to control typesetting machines. The reader may be of anyknown type, and its output is directed into a decoder circuit, detailsof which will vary somewhat with respect to the type of reader employed.Various forms of decoder circuits are known, and the details thereof arenot important herein. It will be sufficient for an understanding of thepresent invention to know that the decoder should be capable ofreceiving, for example, the six digit or six bit input from the readerIll and translating this into a seven digit output, represented by theseven line cable 18 as illustrated.

Alternatively, the input to the apparatus can be derived from a keyboard22 having incorporated therein a suitable form of encoding apparatus,which can provide a seven digit coded output identifying each key in theorder in which the keys are struck. This output is represented in FIG. 1by the seven line cable 24.

The cables 18 and 24 are directed into suitable butler circuits, forexample a plurality of OR gates which are shown schematically at 25, andthe seven outputs from these gates are directed into a shift registercircuit, illustrated as the seven flip-flop stages AllA7, thefunctioning of which is controlled by a shift pulse input circuit 23.This circuit receives and transmits the shift control pulses from anamplifier 30 through the circuit line 32.

The various stages of the shift register are connected to control theenergizing or deenergizing of seven solenoids 40a40g, and thesesolenoids control corresponding crank levers 45:1-45g (shown generallyin FIG. 6) which in turn control the position of seven mechanicaldecoding strips or tapes 50a50g. Each strip thus will assume one of twopositions, corresponding to the energized or deenergized condition ofits associated solenoid. Details of these decoding strips are more fullydescribed later in this specification.

As is well known, typesetting machines of the circulating matrix typeemploy a matrix release mechanism for each channel, and normally thismechanism is some form of an escapement arranged to release a singlematrix from the corresponding channel into assembling apparatus of thetypesetting machine. Each such escapement mechanism may conveniently beoperated by an actuating reed, one of which is indicated at 52 in FIGS.2 and 4. The arrangement of such reeds and escapements is shown, forexample, in United States Patent No. 3,042,188.

In accordance with the invention movement of one of these reeds iscaused by the electro-mechanical decoding apparatus, the mechanicalportion of which derives its power from a rotatably driven shaft 55.This shaft is, during normal operation of the machine, drivencontinuously at a constant speed, and one revolution thereof isconsidered to be one cycle of operation of the machine, during which onecharacter matrix can be released.

This shaft also drives a conventional light chopper arrangement (or someequivalent pulse generator) provided by a continuously illuminated lamp60, a photocell 62, and a rotatable disc 65 therebetween which rotateswith shaft 55. This disc preferably is opaque and has a transparent slit66 therein arranged to pass light to the photocell once for eachrevolution of the disc. The resultant pulse generated by photocell 62 istransmitted to amplifier 30, as shown in FIG. 1, thus establishing apulse rate of one per cycle of operation.

Electra-mechanical decoder The seven digit code output through cable 18passes into the shift register and is set up in the control solenoids40a40g, which in turn control the position of seven decoding tapes orstrips 50ag. These strips extend the full width of the machine, beneathall of the reeds 52, recalling that there is one such reed for eachescapement, and hence for each channel arranged to supply a charactermatrix, or space band or thin space, in other words any recirculatablemember which can be assembled in forming a line of composition. Thesestrips can be of any suitable thin material (such as thin stainlesssteel) having desirable long life wear characteristics.

These strips are provided with decoding perforations or holes (FIG.arranged such that under normal conditions there is no open path throughthe stack of strips at any position corresponding to any reed 52. Atypical cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale through the stack ofstrips is shown in FIG. 3, and at this particular section, chosen merelyfor purposes of example, there are passages through strips 50a through50c, while there is no passage through strips 50 and 50g. It is assumedthat in this condition all of the solenoids 40a-g are deenergized, andthe strips are in what may be termed their zero position. If the code0000011 appears in the shift reigister, then solenoids 40 and 40g willbe energized and the corresponding strips 50 and 50g will be shifted,and in this shifted position they will present passages therethrough inthe location shown in FIG. 3. This may be decoded as the selection codefor the letter T (i.e. 0000011). In like fashion, at a positioncorresponding to each reed 52, there will be a passage presented throughall of the decoding strips whenever the 4 solenoids position thesestrips according to the code for the character which is related to thatreed.

For each reed there is a corresponding trigger member 100, which isadapted to raise its reed when the proper selection code is presented.In its normal position, the trigger member rests upon a support bar 105,all of the triggers being stacked in parallel relation, beneath theircorresponding reeds. A finger 106 is provided on the trigger member toassure that whenever it is raised it always is returned to the normal orrest position as shown in full lines in FIG. 4. The support bar isstationary, being fastened by screws 107 to a part of the supportingframe of the decoding controller. It will be understood that the reeds52 are all normally in a lowered position, as shown in FIG. 4, and insuch position each reed is suspended over a corresponding finger 110 ofits trigger member 100, with a slight clearance therebetween.

Another section 112 of the trigger extends outward with respect to bar105, and a return spring 113 is fastened between this portion of thetrigger and a stationary bracket 114 on a lower part of the frame.Farther out on the finger portion 112 of each trigger there is 2.depending sensing finger 115 which rests upon the stack of tapes 50a50g.In the normal position this sensing finger rests upon that uppermost oneof the tapes which normally present an obstruction. The outwardextending finger 112 continues beyond the sensing finger portion, andpreferably is bent downwardly and outwardly to form a lifting end whichprojects beyond the stack of decoding tapes, as shown in the drawing.

Mechanical controller During a predetermined portion of each cycle ofoperation of the machine a set-up lever 122 is swung counterclockwise,as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4 around its pivot mount 123. This raises theset-up bar 125 into engagement with the lifting ends 120 of all of thetriggers 100. The limit of such lifting motion of the set-up bar can beseen from comparison of FIGS. 2 and 4, the bar being shown approximatelyin its fully raised position in FIG. 2, and approximately in itslowermost position in FIG. 4.

Immediately below the lever 122 there is a pivotally mounted bail lever130, mounted to swing about a pivot stud or pin 132. This lever isconnected to the lever 122 by an arm 134, there being pivotalconnections at each end of this arm, as indicated by the pins 135. Thedrive for reciprocating both of the levers 122 and is obtained from aneccentric fastened to shaft 55, and arranged to produce a generallyreciprocating motion in a crank rod 142 which is pivotally connectedthrough pin 143 to the bail arm 130.

At the end of the arm 130 is mounted the bail bar 145, which extends thefull width of the machine so as to be positioned beneath each of thedepending lifting finger 147 formed on each of the triggers 100. Inorder to assure lifting engagement when this is desired, a keeperbracket 148 extends along the face of the bail bar 145.

Also driven from shaft 55 is a control cam 150 which engages a rollerfollower 152 carried on the lower end of a driver lever 155. This leveris mounted for pivotal movement on the frame, by means of a pivot studor shaft 156, and at the upper end of lever 155 there is a slotted reedcontrol bar 158 which likewise extends the full width of the machine andaround all the reeds so as to engage any reed which might be positionedin its path of movement. Immediately below this bar 158 there is astationary shelf 160, formed by the top edge of a bar 162 fastened tothe frame.

The operation may be briefly described as follows. The appropriate lever100 is placed in a cocked or active position by movement of its sensingfinger 115 through a complete aperture presented to it by appropriatemovement of the decoding tapes. When this occurs, the selected triggerwill drop from the full line to the dotted line position shown in FIG.4, and this motion is assisted by the corresponding spring 113.

The light chopper disc 65 is preferably positioned on shaft 55 such thatthe electronic timing pulse from photocell 62 occurs just before the topdead center position of the eccentric 140. This relationship isindicated in FIG. 2, and it will be noted that the shaft 55 is arrangedto rotate counterclockwise as viewed. When the eccentric reaches itsbottom dead center position all of the trigger members 100 will beresting upon the stationary supporting bar 105, as shown in FIG. 4.

Before the eccentric has passed through this approximately 180 oftravel, a pulse from amplifier 30 will have passed to the shift registergate 28, and the code for the next character to be selected will be setup in the register, and this in turn will energize appropriate ones ofthe solenoids 4011-40 Therefore, somewhere along the tapes there will beone through passage presented to a sensing finger 115.

This finger will drop through such aperture and the finger will move toits cocked or ready position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4. All othertriggers will assume the position shown in full lines in FIG. 4. Then asthe eccentric produces a lifting motion in the crank rod 142 both theset-up bar 125 and the bail bar 145 will begin to rise. The mechanicalrelationship is such that the bail bar will engage the drive finger 147of the cocked trigger, as shown in the dotted position in FIG. 4.Simultaneously, the set-up bar 125 will engage the outer end 120 of thattrigger, and as the bail bar continues upward it will lift the cockedtrigger, with the motion being essentially a direct vertical motion,since both the bail bar and the set-up bar are lifting upward ondifferent portions of the trigger at the same time. All of the drivefingers 147 of the other triggers will be in the solid line position inFIG. 4, and the bail bar will pass to one side of them.

Accordingly, the selected trigger 100 will move upward carrying its reed52 upward. as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. This trigger will liftaway from the stationary sup-porting bar 105. The lower end of reed 52will be carried up to a position slightly above the shelf 160, as shownin FIG. 2. At the same time the reed control bar 158, which also has anactuating function, will move to the left as viewed in FIG. 2. since thecam roller 152 will be following cam 150 as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore,the portion 165 of bar 158 will engage the lifted reed and slide it overthe shelf 160, and the reed will drop onto this shelf as the eccentric140 passes over its top dead center position and the correspondingtrigger begins to descend.

In this fashion, the reed is actually caused to pause momentarily in itsraised position, assuring that it produces an effective release actionof the escapement to which it is connected.

It will be noted from FIG. 2 that the set-up bar 125, as it rises, willnot only carry the cocked or operative trigger 100 upward, but also itwill engage the outer end portions 100 of all the triggers, lifting allsensing fingers 115 away from the tapes during the portion of the cyclein which the next selection code is being set up in the tapes.

It will be apparent from FIGS. 2 and 4 that each of the reeds 52 isprovided with a notch 167. All the reeds except the one which has beenselected will present this notch in the path of movement of the controlbar portion 165 as it moves inward to set the selected reed upon theshelf. This inward motion commences as the peak of cam 150 passes beyondthe roller 152, and this occurs at approximately 45 before the top deadcenter position of the eccentric 140. Then, as can be seen from FIG. 4,at about 300 to 310 after the top dead center position of the eccentric,the cam 150 begins to lift the roller 152, and the reset bar 158 movesto the right,

as viewed in FIG. 4, and it will engage the raised operative reed andpush it off the shelf 160.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the presentinvention provides a quick acting, positive, and regularly timed orcycled control for typesetting machines or like apparatus. The timing ofoperation of the reeds, which transmit power to the character releasingmechanisms, is dependant upon the regular driving movement of the bailmember. Furthermore, the electromechanical decoding apparatus is quickacting and positive, since the solenoids can be operated rapidly inresponse to energization or de-energization of their coils. This action,together with the perforated tapes or strips controlled by thesolenoids, provides only one release opening or passage for the selectedtrigger member, such that the decoding operation is rapid and positive,and only one trigger member can be actuated for any given code.

The operating unit also provides for direct, regular, and rapidoperation of the typesetting machine from a coded input, and this inputmay be derived from conventional perforated tape records or equivalent,or from a keyboard with a suitable encoding arrangement by means ofwhich the operation of a key can be transmitted to theelectro-mechanical decoding device as a coded signal. This permits thekeyboard to be located remotely from the actual typesetting machine,while still being directly coupled thereto. An operating unit asdisclosed herein also is advantageous from the standpoint of simplicityof design, for the purpose of manufacture and maintenance. The partsrequired can readily be machined, and in the case of the trigger membersparticularly, they can be manufactured with proper accuracy asrelatively inexpensive stampings.

While the form of the apparatus herein described constitutes a preferredembodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention whichis defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a typesetting machine having at least one magazine with aplurality of channels each adapted to hold like matrices for individualcharacters and including releasing mechanism associated with eachchannel for releasing a single matrix therefrom into an assembler, anoperating reed for each said releasing mechanism arranged to transmitactuating power thereto; the improvement comprising a bail member, adrive for said bail member operative to reciprocate said bail member ina cyclic manner along a predetermined path of movement, a plurality oftrigger members, one for each of said reeds, each of said triggermembers having a bail engaging portion and a reed engaging portion forforming a drive connection between said bail member and the associatedreed; means supporting all of said trigger members with the bailengaging portions thereof normally aligned out of said path of said bailmember and with said reed engaging portions thereof in alignment withthe associated said reeds, decoding means operative on sa d triggermembers to cause movement of one of said trigger members according to aselective code input to said decoding means to shift the position of aselected one of said trigger members into an actuating position bringingthe bail engaging portion of the selected trigger member into said pathof movement of said bail member whereby motion of said bail member istransmitted through the so-moved trigger member to a single selectedreed.

2. In a typesetting machine having at least one magazine with aplurality of channels each adapted to hold like matrices for individualcharacters and including releasing mechanism associated with eachchannel for releasing a single matrix therefrom into an assembler, anoperating reed for each said releasing mechanism arranged to transmitactuating power thereto; the improvement comprising a bail member, adrive for said bail member operative to reciprocate said bail member ina cyclic manner along a predetermined path of movement, a plurality oftrigger members, one for each of said reeds, each of said triggermembers having a bail engaging portion and a reed engaging portion forforming a drive connection between said bail member and the associatedreed, each of said trigger members also having a control portion forlocating its said bail engaging portion with respect to the path ofmovement of said bail member, means supporting all of said triggermembers with the bail engaging portions and control portions thereofnormally aligned and with said reed engaging portions thereof inalignment with the associated said reeds, and decoding means operativeon said control portions to cause movement of one of said triggermembers according to a selective code input to said decoding means toshift the position of a selected one of said trigger members into anactuating position bringing the bail engaging portion of the selectedtrigger member into said path of movement of said bail member wherebymotion of said bail member is transmitted through the so-moved triggermember to a single selected reed.

3. In a typesetting machine having at least one magazine with aplurality of channels each adapted to hold like matrices for individualcharacters and including releasing mechanism associated with eachchannel for releasing a single matrix therefrom into an assembler, anoperating reed for each said releasing mechanism arranged to transmitactuating power thereto; the improvement comprising a bail member, adrive for said bail member operative to reciprocate said bail member ina cyclic manner along a predetermined path of movement, a plurality oftrigger members, one for each of said reeds, each of said triggermembers having a bail engaging portion and a reed engaging portion forforming a drive connection between said bail member and the associatedreed, each of said trigger members also having a control portion forlocating its said bail engaging portion with respect to the path ofmovement of said bail member, means supporting all of said triggermembers with the bail engaging portions and control portions thereofnormally aligned and with said reed engaging portions thereof alignedwith the associated said reeds, decoding means operative on said controlportions to cause movement of one of said trigger members according to aselective code input to said decoding means to shift the position of aselected one of said trigger members into an actuating position bringingthe bail engaging portion of the selected trigger member into said pathof movement of said bail member whereby motion of said bail member istransmitted through the so-moved trigger member to a single selectedreed, and means operating in timed relation to said bail member forholding the moved reed in its actuated position for a time periodsubstantially in excess of the driving movement of its associatedtrigger member.

4. In a typesetting machine having a magazine with a plurality ofchannels for holding matrices, including releasing mechanism associatedwith each channel for releasing a single matrix therefrom, and anoperating reed for each said releasing mechanism; the improvementcomprising a bail member, a drive for said bail member operative toreciprocate said bail member in a cyclic manher along a predeterminedpath of movement, a plurality of trigger members, one for each of saidreeds, each of said trigger members having a bail engaging portion and areed engaging portion for forming a drive connection between said bailmember and the associated reed, each of said trigger members also havinga control portion for locating its said bail engaging portion withrespect to the path of movement of said bail member, means supportingall of said trigger members with the bail engaging portions and controlportions thereof normally aligned and with said reed engaging portionsthereof aligned with the associated said reeds, means acting on theindividual said nigger member g g said bail engaging portions towardsaid path of said bail member, decoding strips engaging said controlportions to hold said trigger members in said normal aligned relation,and means connected to move at least one of said strips according to aselective code to release a selected one of said trigger members into anactuating position wherein its bail engaging portion is moved into saidpath of movement of said bail member and motion of said bail member istransmitted through the so-moved trigger member to a single selectedreed.

5. In apparatus of the character described the combination of aplurality of operating reeds each adapted to transmit mechanical powerby a longitudinal movement thereof, a bail member, drive means formoving said bail member along a predetermined path, and a plurality oftrigger members, one for each of said reeds, adapted to form a selectivedrive connection between said bail member and the associated said reed,means supporting said trigger members in a normally inoperative positionremoved from said path of movement, said supporting means including acontrol portion on each of said trig ger members, a plurality ofdecoding tapes having holes selectively placed therein according to aselector code, means supporting said tapes in stacked relation adjacentsaid control portions such that in a normal position at least one ofsaid tapes is engaged with said control portions to hold said triggermembers in the inoperative position, and means for moving at least oneof said tapes in accordance with a selection code to present acontinuous opening through the stacked tapes to a selected one of saidcontrol portions whereby the associated trigger member is moved intosaid path of movement of said bail member to form a power transmittingdrive between said bail member and the reed associated with the selectedtrigger member.

6. In apparatus of the character described the combination of aplurality of operating reeds each adapted to transmit mechanical powerby a longitudinal movement thereof, a bail member, drive means formoving said bail member along a predetermined path, and a plurality oftrigger members, one for each of said reeds, adapted to form a selectivedrive connection between said bail member and the associated said reed,means supporting said trigger members in a normally inoperative positionremoved from said path of movement, said supporting means including acontrol portion on each of said trigger members, a plurality of decodingtapes having holes selectively placed therein according to a selectioncode, means supporting said tapes in stacked relation adjacent saidcontrol portions such that in a normal position at least one of saidtapes is engaged with said control portions to hold said trigger membersin the inoperative position, means urging said control portions towardsaid tapes, and solenoid means connected to each of the individual saidtapes for shifting the associated tape between one of two positionscorresponding to binary code information supplied to the solenoids asenergizing and deenergizing power in accordance with a selection code topresent a continuous opening through the stacked tapes only to aselected one of said control portions permitting the associated triggermember to move into said path of movement of said bail member to form apower transmitting drive between said bail member and the reedassociated with the selected trigger member.

7. In apparatus of the character described the combination of aplurality of operating reeds each adapted to transmit mechanical powerby a longitudinal movement thereof, an elongated bail member, drivemeans for moving said bail member along a predetermined path, aplurality of trigger members, one for each of said reeds, adapted toform a selective drive connection between said bail member and theassociated said reed, means supporting said trigger members inside-by-side relation in a normally inoperative position to one side ofand out of said path of movement, said supporting means including acontrol portion on each of said trigger members, a plurality of tapeshaving holes selectively placed therein according to a selection code,means supporting said tapes in stacked relation parallel to said bailmember and adjoining said control portions such that in said inoperativeposition at least one of said tapes is engaged with said controlportions to hold said trigger members in the inoperative position, andmeans for moving difierent ones of said tapes in accordance with aselection code identi fying one of said reeds to present a continuousopening through the stacked tapes to the control portion of the selectedone of said trigger members permitting such trigger member to move intosaid path of movement of said bail member to form a power transmittingdrive between said bail member and the reed associated therewith.

8. In a typesetting machine having a magazine with a plurality ofchannels for individual character matrices and including releasingmechanism associated with each channel for releasing a single matrixtherefrom, an operating reed for each said escapement mechanism arrangedto transmit actauting power to the associated escapement mechanism; theimprovement comprising a continuously rotating drive shaft and means forrotating said shaft at a predetermined constant speed, a bail memberextending beneath all of said reeds, a drive connection between saidshaft and said bail member for moving said bail member along apredetermined path of movement toward and away from said reeds, aplurality of trigger members, corresponding in number to said reeds,each of said trigger members having a bail engaging portion and a reedengaging portion normally contacting the associated reed for forming adrive connection between said bail member and the associated said reed,each of said trigger members also having a control portion for locatingits said bail engaging portion with respect to the path of movement ofsaid bail member, means supporting all of said trigger members in anormal inoperative position, decoding means operative on said controlportions to cause movement of one of said trigger members correspondingto a selection code input to said decoding means to shift the positionof a selected one of said trigger members into an actuating positionbringing its bail engaging portion into the said path of movement ofsaid bail member whereby motion of said bail member is transmittedthrough the so-moved trigger member to its associated reed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,774,463 12/1956Rossetto et a1. 19911 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM F. MCCARTHY, Examiner.

1. IN A TYPESETTING MACHINE HAVING AT LEAST ONE MAGAZINE WITH APLURALITY OF CHANNELS EACH ADAPTED TO HOLD LIKE MATRICES FOR INDIVIDUALCHARACTERS AND INCLUDING RELEASING MECHANISM ASSOCIATED WITH EACHCHANNEL FOR RELEASING A SINGLE MATRIX THEREFROM INTO AS ASSEMBLER, ANOPERATING REED FOR EACH SAID RELEASING MECHANISM ARRANGED TO TRANSMITACTUATING POWER THERETO; THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A BAIL MEMBER, ADRIVE OF SAID BAIL MEMBER OPERATIVE TO RECIPROCATE SAID BAIL MEMBER IN ACYCLIC MANNER ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH OF MOVEMENT, A PLURALITY OFTRIGGER MEMBERS, ONE OF EACH OF SAID REEDS, EACH OF SAID TRIGGER MEMBERSHAVING A BAIL ENGAGING PORTION AND A REED ENGAGING PORTION FOR FORMING ADRIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID BAIL MEMBER AND THE ASSOCIATED REED; MEANSSUPPORTING ALL OF SAID TRIGGER MEMBERS WITH THE BAIL ENGAGING PORTIONSTHEREOF NORMALLY ALIGNED WITH OF SAID PATH OF SAID BAIL MEMBER AND WITHSAID REED ENGAGING PORTIONS THEREOF IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE ASSOCIATEDSAID REEDS, DECODING MEANS OPERATIVE ON SAID TRIGGER MEMBRS BERS TOCAUSE MOVEMENT OF ONE OF SAID TRIGGER MEMBERS ACCORDING TO A SELECTIVELYCODE INPUT TO SAID DECODING MEANS TO SHIFT THE POSITION OF A SELECTEDONE OF SAID TRIGGER MEMBERS INTO AN ACTUATING POSITION BRINGING THE BAILENGAGING PORTION OF THE SELECTED TRIGER MEMBER INTO SAID PATH OFMOVEMENT OF SAID BAIL MEMBER WHEREBY MOTION OF SAID BAIL MEMBER ISTRANSMITTED THROUGH THE SO-MOVED TRIGGER MEMBER TO A SINGLE SELECTEDREED.